Squash Posts Perfect Mark at Home Invitational

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Jan. 24, 2009) – For the third year in a row, the Mount Holyoke College women’s squash team went undefeated at its home invitational. The Lyons picked up victories over Boston College (9-0), Colby College (9-0) and Wesleyan University today at the Kendall Sports and Dance Complex, pushing their overall record to 11-4. Over the past three seasons, they have posted a perfect 12-0 mark at the tournament.

The 2009 version of the Mount Holyoke College/Smith College Invitational began last night and will conclude tomorrow. A total of nine squads from around the region are competing in the event, which is being hosted by Amherst College in addition to Mount Holyoke and Smith. Over the course of the weekend, 19 matches will be played.

Mount Holyoke faced off against a shorthanded Boston College club in its first contest of the afternoon. The Lyons cruised to a 9-0 win, dropping just 16 points in the process. They posted shutouts in each of the five contested matches and were granted default wins in the remaining four. Senior Pamela Anckermann, first year Shara Robertson, junior Laurian Lue Yen, junior Lila Khan and junior Michelle Zagardo were responsible for the five victories.

With momentum on its side, Mount Holyoke breezed to a 9-0 triumph over Colby in its second match of the day. It was the Lyons fifth straight win over the Mules. The most entertaining contest of the day was between Robertson and Jessica Vogel at the number four slot. After splitting the first four games, Robertson took the fifth and deciding game by a score of 9-4. Ackermann, sophomore Vidushi Gurunada, junior Laura Robinson, Lue Yen, senior Menusha Hettiarachchi, Khan, junior Hillela Simpson and Zagardo came away with 3-0 wins in the remaining eight matches.

In their final contest of the weekend, the Lyons downed Wesleyan 7-2. It was their 14th consecutive triumph over the Cardinals. Leading the way was Robinson, who was perfect in her number three victory over Elizabeth Demakos. Anckermann dropped just one point in her shutout win over Casey Simchik at the number one position. Gurunada, Robertson, Lue Yen, Hettiarachchi and Khan also found the win column for the hosts.

Mount Holyoke (11-4) will return to action on Friday, when it faces off against Stanford University at 1:00 p.m. The match is slated to take place at Williams College.